Removing water etched windshield?

[Kestas]

Originally Posted By: Donald
The only acid that etches glass is hydrofluoric acid. I would doubt that acid got on his windshield.

I have to scratch my head on this one. Keep in mind that not all glass has the same chemistry. Plus, who's to say that hydrofluoric acid doesn't exist in nature in trace amounts.

 

[tom slick]

This stuff works well on water spots. You can buy it at Ace Hardware
http://www.a-maz.com/waterstainremover.php

 

[gary031]

Originally Posted By: tom slick
This stuff works well on water spots. You can buy it at Ace Hardware
http://www.a-maz.com/waterstainremover.php

I think OP is dealing with water etching, not water spots. Massive difference.

 

[Vikas]

If you read the FAQ for A-MAZ, it will tell you right up front that their stuff is pretty much useless for water etching.

 

[antiqueshell]

Actually aluminum wheel cleaner (acid) will do the job.

 

[tom slick]

So water spots that can't be removed with paint sealant automatically equals "etched"? I'd try something mild before going after it with abrasives.

 

[gary031]

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Actually aluminum wheel cleaner (acid) will do the job.


If he's dealing with a water etched window, wheel cleaner will do nothing for him.
Originally Posted By: tom slick
So water spots that can't be removed with paint sealant automatically equals "etched"? I'd try something mild before going after it with abrasives.

If NuFinish, break cleaner and window cleaner didn't put a dent in the "spots", then they are probably etchings which is very common, no need for the OP to go out and buy a product that's almost certainly not gonna work.

 

[tom slick]

It worked for me and I used to get heavy water spots that wax/polish/cleaner wouldn't remove. Good old Los Osos salty fog on my windows.

Have you tried a-maz?

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: gary031
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Actually aluminum wheel cleaner (acid) will do the job.


If he's dealing with a water etched window, wheel cleaner will do nothing for him.


Lots of people see what "appears" to be etching when in fact it is actually very hard water deposits.

 

[gary031]

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Originally Posted By: gary031
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Actually aluminum wheel cleaner (acid) will do the job.


If he's dealing with a water etched window, wheel cleaner will do nothing for him.


Lots of people see what "appears" to be etching when in fact it is actually very hard water deposits.

And lots of people see what "appears" to be spots when in fact it's etching, which the OP said he was dealing with. Claiming that wheel acid "will do the job" given the fact the OP lives in Florida, where window etching is very common, isn't giving correct info. Just sayin.

Originally Posted By: tom slick
It worked for me and I used to get heavy water spots that wax/polish/cleaner wouldn't remove. Good old Los Osos salty fog on my windows.

Have you tried a-maz?

Ya, I found a-maz at true Value in Pismo Beach and it works well on spots, just isn't effective once the spots have etched into the window.

 

[Eddie]

Giving up at this time. I've spent many hours trying several of the things mentioned to no avail. I may revisit this problem in the future but, not now. Thanks to all who tried to help. Ed

 

[Vikas]

A rock will fix it

 

[SatinSilver]

Duragloss NuGlass has excellent reviews on Autogeek,5 out of 5 stars. If you don't like it you can get a refund no questions asked. Well its a credit with AG. Not to mention DG will send a free replacement if not satisfied. Available on Amazon also.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
A rock will fix it
And, sadly, you didn't get the plate of the dump truck which dropped it.

Be nice if we could get an accurate handle on the cost of an OEM windshield, deductable and other obfuscations aside. I addition, it would be nice to know that droid replacing the glass would accomplish the task without causing leaks.

 

[Vikas]

Quote:
I addition, it would be nice to know that droid replacing the glass would accomplish the task without causing leaks.

Precisely! I asked insurance company to repair my glass three times rather than choosing to replace it even though I have zero deductible on the glass.

On the other vehicle where it was not repairable, the glass was replaced and it eventually leaked *after* seven years!

- Vikas

 

[doitmyself]

If this is a common problem in Florida and some other places, it seems that the professional detailing shops would have a polishing system to correct it, just like there are systems to polish headlights.

Maybe inquire at a professional detailing shop?

 

[rslifkin]

For etching, I found I was able to clean it off the Jeep by giving the windshield a good cleaning with simple green, polishing it with a light rubbing compound, then wiping it down thoroughly, simple greening it again, and waxing it.

 

[djb]

Originally Posted By: gary031
The only acid that etches glass is hydrofluoric acid. I would doubt that acid got on his windshield.

There are weird corrosive and etching effects on the edges of evaporating water drops. It's not normal chemistry. The combination of surface energy, super-saturated water, concentration differences etc. results in reactions that "shouldn't" occur.

 

[brave sir robin]

This is by far the best stuff I have ever used on glass. I have found it at a few local auto parts stores if you don't want to do the online thing. Only problem with it is it gets everywhere and needs to be rinsed off very thoroughly.

http://www.warehouseautoparts.com/Product_Line/Watkins_of_Sacramento/Nothins_better.htm

 

[RichardS]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Originally Posted By: Vikas
A rock will fix it
And, sadly, you didn't get the plate of the dump truck which dropped it.

Be nice if we could get an accurate handle on the cost of an OEM windshield, deductable and other obfuscations aside. I addition, it would be nice to know that droid replacing the glass would accomplish the task without causing leaks.


If he's got comprehensive coverage, Florida dictates that the insurance company can't apply a deductible to a replacement windshield, so it'd be a free replacement.